down on one's luck

1. Afflicted by misfortune, as in They've been down on their luck ever since they moved out West. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

To be down on one’s luck already exacts a heavy price in security, social standing and peace of mind; regarding him as your equal in simple dignity and humanity is your best chance not to add another emotional cost to his bill.

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Of course, this movie’s version of being down on one’s luck is a little different than in the rest of the world.

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Luck′y-bag, a receptacle for lost property on board a man-of-war.—Be down on one's luck, to be unfortunate.

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I'll bet there's any amount of men bless them—as I did—when down on one's luck.

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"Everybody gets blue spells—when one is down on one's luck."

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